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Abstract:

A new and distinct cultivar of hibiscus plant named `DUP-MNDC`,
characterized by glossy, dark green leaves, sturdy, upright habit
appropriate for container production and culture, freely flowering habit,
and flowers characterized by white pistil and style, to which are
attached the primary whorl of petals as well as small petaloids, petals
and petaloids devoid of color for 30 percent of their length, with the
remainder a pastel yellow, with marginal suffusions of yellow orange.

Claims:

1. A new and distinct hibiscus plant named `DUP-MNDC`, as illustrated and
described.

Description:

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES

[0001] Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

VARIETY DENOMINATION

[0002] `DUP-MNDC`

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of
hibiscus, botanically known as Hibiscus rosa-sinensis and hereinafter
referred to by the cultivar name `DUP-MNDC.`

[0004] Hibiscus have been the subject of human admiration for centuries.
While the ancestry of present rosa-sinensis hybrids is not precisely
known, today's hybrids are thought to be the products of interspecific
crosses involving Hawaiian, Polynesian and Asian species, among others,
some of which may no longer be found in the wild, if they are to be found
at all. It is thought that the first hibiscus identified as a
rosa-sinensis was a double red form of uncertain origin found in
cultivation in China, India and Polynesia, to be later introduced to
Hawaii from Polynesia. It is known to have been grown in Europe during
the Victorian era. Eventually, it was introduced to the continental
United States where it was cultivated outdoors in the Deep South as well
as in regions having subtropical or Mediterranean climates (Florida and
Southern California, respectively). Indoor cultivation took place in the
temperate regions of the U.S. It is speculated that the original
rosa-sinensis is actually a species hybrid, possibly naturally arising,
involving two or more species. Regardless, present day hybrids are
descended from the original double form, and are thought to include in
their ancestry Hibiscus liliiflorus, H. arnottianus, H. schizopetalus, as
well as other species, particularly those native to Hawaii.

[0005] Today, after decades of extensive hybridization, the moniker
"rosa-sinensis" almost certainly denotes complex interspecific hybrids.
Such hybrids are usually far removed from their species ancestors in form
and color. Flowers characterized by spectacular size, color intensity
and, in the last several decades, ringed and spotted patterns have been
produced by U.S. hybridizers in Louisiana, Florida, Hawaii, Texas and
elsewhere. Other hotbeds of hibiscus-breeding activity include Australia,
and more recently, Tahiti. Today's flowers are removed from their species
ancestors to such an extent that it is almost impossible to unravel the
species component contributions which comprise a modern hybrid hibiscus.

[0006] However, in the past, despite the fact that hybridization was
giving rise to flowers of spectacular size and color intensity, very few
if any early hybrids attracted the attention of large scale commercial
propagators. While the flowers were truly some of the most impressive in
the entire plant world, hybridizers had been selecting predominantly for
bloom characteristics. As a result, many of these spectacular hybrids
were weak plants which, even with the best care, were short-lived and
difficult to grow. The occasional production of a spectacular bloom was
enough to keep the interest of those truly dedicated to growing something
rare and special, and thus new hybrids continued to be produced by
hobbyists with abundant passion and small amounts of greenhouse space. As
a result, more breathtaking varieties were produced each year, to be
distributed via grafting among dedicated hobbyists, only to die out
within a time span of 10 or 15 years. It should be noted that the
majority of the varieties introduced in the 1960's, 70's and even many
from the 1980's and 90's are likely to be lost to cultivation, if they
are not already.

[0007] Progress toward the development of a plant which an average
gardener could easily grow and enjoy was slow to non-existent. Many
varieties were difficult to root from cuttings, and even if they did
root, many varieties, when grown on their own roots, were extremely
susceptible to fungal and bacterial root rots. Some grew acceptably only
as grafted plants. However, grafted plants suffer from a serious
disadvantage in that the quality of the graft generally determines the
quality of the plant, making the production of uniformly vigorous plants
a difficult task. Furthermore, after several years, it is common for
grafted plants to develop stresses at the graft union due to the unequal
growth rates of the rootstock and the scion. Such stresses can eventually
lead to loss of vigor and death of the plant. Moreover, grafting does not
completely cure the problem of root rot; surprisingly, the rootstock,
when grafted to a root rot susceptible scion was generally still more
likely to suffer rot than a plant of the rootstock variety. For example,
a plant of "Seminole Pink," a garden variety commonly used as a
rootstock, is highly resistant to root rot. However, when Seminole Pink
is used as a rootstock for "Romeo," a modern hybrid which is prone to
root rot, the grafted plant, while less susceptible than Romeo, is more
susceptible than a plant of Seminole Pink.

[0008] Perhaps the most detrimental disadvantage of grafted plants is the
introduction of viruses into the scion from the rootstock. Rootstock
varieties are almost invariably old garden varieties which, over the
years, have become infected with multiple viruses. While the performance
of such vigorous garden varieties may be largely unaffected by virus
infection, the hybrid scion of a grafted plant has generally been
significantly less vigorous than the garden variety rootstock, and virus
infection from the rootstock resulted in a weak plant. The problem only
increased with successive generations of grafting, resulting in a rapid
general weakening of a given variety over time.

[0009] Because many hybrids are shy bloomers at best, the extra stresses
due to virus infection, grafting, low disease resistance, and the like
generally gave sparse flower production, as well as a high number of
deformed blooms. Furthermore, ordinary stresses such as over/under
watering and mite/insect pests resulted in a high percentage of bud drop.
The buds of large-flowered hybrids often take relatively long times to
reach blooming stage, and it was not uncommon to wait with anticipation
while a bud swelled day by day, only to be disappointed when the mature
bud toppled from its pedicel on the day it was to open.

[0010] Moreover, because of hybridizer emphasis on the flower, the plant
was often relatively slow growing and sparsely clothed in leaves. Such
plants usually do not attract purchasers as they do not have the
appearance of garden-worthy specimens.

[0011] It has been noted in the industry that a hybrid hibiscus seems to
sell only when it is bearing a bloom. The practical effect of all of the
above-mentioned issues on a retail outlet is as follows. A garden center
will order a number of plants. Many of the plants will arrive either in
bloom or up to several days away from blooming. The blooming plants will
generally sell the first day. On several subsequent days, new blooms will
open on the remaining plants, and some of them will sell as well.
However, by the fourth or fifth day, the lack of perfect growing
conditions begins to take is toll, and the plants begin to drop their
most mature buds. From this point on, the plants essentially sit around
until they are marked down or even until they decline to such a degree
that they must be discarded.

[0012] Such characteristics left hibiscus with the reputation that,
despite the mesmerizing beauty of the flowers, they were for collectors
who had time to attend to the seemingly exacting requirements of the
plants. As a result, while new varieties were produced by hobbyists
yearly, propagation of modern hybrids on a commercial scale was generally
rare. Common garden varieties (Seminole Pink, Brilliant, President,
Painted Lady, Butterfly, Lago, for example), which are easy to root, fast
growing, and tolerant of a wide range of growing conditions were the only
hibiscus widely available. The "exotics" were of little interest to
commercial growers.

[0013] Many new varieties of hibiscus representing a vast improvement in
rosa-sinensis hybrids, have been produced by an intense hybridizing
program conducted by the Inventor at his commercial nursery in
Plaquemine, La. The objective of the program has been to produce
varieties of hibiscus which root easily under commercial rooting
conditions, grow well on their own roots, maturing rapidly into
well-leaved, salable plants under commercial greenhouse conditions.
Further objectives are to produce hibiscus cultivars as aforementioned,
having large flowers with unique and desirable flower characteristics,
such as size, color intensity and pattern.

[0014] Asexual reproduction of the new hibiscus by hardwood,
semi-hardwood, and terminal cuttings taken in a controlled environment in
Plaquemine, La., has shown that the unique features of this new hibiscus
are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The cultivar `DUP-MNDC` has not been observed under all possible
environmental variables. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations
in environment such as temperature, light intensity, nutrient and water
status without, however, any variation in genotype. For example, during
cooler weather, flowers of many hibiscus cultivars may demonstrate an
increased intensity in pink tones. Furthermore, as with many varieties of
hibiscus, cooler weather can result in a decrease in flower diameter, and
a corresponding reduction in size of sepals and pistil. Moreover, as
indicated below, plant characteristics vary greatly with culture, with
internode spacings often increasing in warmer weather and with higher
soil fixed nitrogen content. Plants grown at higher temperatures also
exhibit a faster rate of growth. In general the plant used in the
following description was grown at temperatures which never dipped below
55 F. Because the Inventor's one gallon pot plants are grown for an
average time of about 5.5 to 6 months prior to sale, and the 10 inch pot
plants are grown for an average time of about 7 to 8 months prior to
sale, it is difficult to provide a precise temperature profile required
to give the average plant measurements described in the below
description. The growing period can encompass several seasons, with
seasonal fluctuations in high/low temperatures as well as photo period.
It is expected that the daily high temperature ranged from about 70 F to
about 95 F, and the daily low temperature, which never dipped below 55 F,
ranged from about 65 F to about 80 F.

[0016] The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are
determined to be the unique characteristics of `DUP-MNDC.` These
characteristics in combination distinguish `DUP-MNDC` as a new and
distinct cultivar.

[0017] 1. Glossy, dark green leaves.

[0018] 2. Semi-upright habit appropriate for container production and
culture.

[0019] 3. Freely flowering habit.

[0020] 4. A flower characterized by a white pistil and style, to which are
attached the primary whorl of petals as well as numerous small petaloids
attached to the base of the style and generally laid parallel to the
faces of the petals in the outer whorl; petals and petaloids devoid of
color for 30 percent of their length, with the remainder a pastel yellow,
often with marginal suffusions of yellow-orange.

[0021] 5. The plant is at least as free-flowering as each parent, and has
been found to root more easily under greenhouse conditions than either
parent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH(S)

[0022] The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall
appearance of the new hibiscus, showing the colors as true as it is
reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type.

[0023] Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values
cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the
colors of the new hibiscus.

[0024] The photograph on the first sheet (FIG. 1) comprises a first day
flower of `DUP-MNDC.

[0025] The photograph on the second sheet (FIG. 2) is a view of the
reverse of the bloom.

[0026] The photograph on the third sheet (FIG. 3) comprises a flower
profile which demonstrates the relative proportions of the pistil and
bloom diameter. The calyx is clearly visible.

[0027] The photograph on the fourth sheet (FIG. 4) comprises one plant in
a ten inch container.

[0028] The photograph on the fifth sheet (FIG. 5) comprises a mature leaf.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

[0029] In the following description, color references are made to The
Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms of
ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations,
measurements, and values describe plants grown in Plaquemine, La., with
one plant per 10 inch container. Plants used for the description were
about 32 weeks old. [0030] Botanical classification: Hibiscus
rosa-sinensis. [0031] Parentage: [0032] Female or seed parent.--Light
My Fire (not patented). [0033] Male or pollen parent.--Sandra's Delight
(not patented). [0034] Propagation: [0035] Type.--`DUP-MNDC` has
been propagated by taking hardwood, semi-hardwood, and tip cuttings, with
semi-hardwood preferred. It should be noted that many methods of asexual
propagation, such as tissue culture and other cloning processes, can be
expected to show some degree of success in the propagation of the present
cultivar. However, of the methods tried by the Inventor, the use of
semi-hardwood cutting has given the greatest yield of commercially
salable plants. Asexual propagation has resulted in plants which have the
flower and plant characteristics of the original `DUP-MNDC` plant, and
thus the variety is stable. Cuttings from `DUP-MNDC` generally root well
under commercial greenhouse conditions. While greenhouse conditions such
as relative humidity and other factors such as cutting age prior to
planting affect the take, it is not unusual to get a take of almost 100%.
Please note that as successive generations of cuttings are raised, the
raiser may experience a drop in take due to the incorporation of virus,
particularly if at some point grafted plants are prepared, and cuttings
are taken from such a plant. [0036] Time to initiate roots.--An average
time of initiation at approximately 22 C is approximately six weeks, with
slightly longer times during winter at comparable temperatures, and
slightly shorter times during summer at comparable temperatures. [0037]
Time to develop roots.--An average time, at approximately 22 C, of
development of a root system after initiation, is approximately six
weeks, with slightly longer times during winter at comparable
temperatures, and slightly shorter times during summer at comparable
temperatures. It should be noted that root initiation and development can
be affected by greenhouse conditions, biological stressors such as
disease organisms, as well as environmental stressors such as low or
variant relative humidity, over- and under-watering, temperature
variations or high or low constant temperatures. Thus, rooting times can
be shorter or longer than the times given above depending on the values
of many different characteristics during the rooting process known in the
art. [0038] Root description.--Fibrous and well-branched. [0039]
Plant description: [0040] Plant form and growth habits.--Perennial
evergreen having sturdy, upright growth. The growth habit is generally
not compact. As recognized by one of skill in the art, internodal
distance can be dependent upon greenhouse temperature/time profile,
fertilizer availability profile, and other factors. [0041] Branching
habit.--Moderately well-branched, having approximately 3 laterals when a
single stem plant is pinched back to a 5 inch height. [0042] Plant
height, soil level to top of flowers.--A salable plant in a 10 inch
container can be approximately 24 inches high and 24 inches wide. Please
note that cultural variables such as those mentioned under "Plant form
and growth habits," above, among others, can cause significant variation
from the values given herein. [0043] Lateral branch description.--The
average branch characteristics of a salable plant grown as a 10 inch
hanging basket: Average Length: Approximately 22''. Average Diameter:
Approximately 0.6 cm measured at the transition from green to woody stem
texture. Texture: Immature: Smooth. Mature: Woody and rough. [0044]
Mature foliage description: [0045] Arrangement.--Alternate, single,
numerous, symmetrical. [0046] Length.--Approximately 9.7 cm. [0047]
Width.--Approximately 8.1 cm. [0048] Shape.--Cordate. [0049]
Apex.--Acute. [0050] Margin.--Entire, crenate, broadly undulate. [0051]
Texture.--Glabrous, rugose. [0052] Color.--Young foliage, upper surface:
More green than 147A; glossy. Mature foliage, upper surface: Generally
darker than 147A; glossy. [0053] Petiole.--Average Length: 3.8 cm.
Average Diameter: 0.2 cm. Texture: Fine pubescence on upper surface;
lower surface, glabrous. It should be noted that as with other plant
growth characteristics, foliage color and size can vary with nutrient
availability, greenhouse temperature, day length, and other conditions of
culture. [0054] Flower description: [0055] Natural flowering
season.--Year round, with number and size reduction in extended periods
of cold weather, such as daytime temperatures of less than 60 C. Extreme
heat can slow growth and flower production. [0056] Flower
arrangement.--Flowers arranged singly at terminal leaf axils. Very
free-flowering, with usually three developing flower buds per lateral
branch, flowers face upward. [0057] Flower appearance.--Medium-sized,
semi-double bloom, with an occasional single or fully double bloom.
Flowers are open for one to two days before senescence, which is often
accompanied by partial or full petal closure. Flowers persistent. [0058]
Flower diameter.--`DUP-MNDC` flowers are generally about 6''-8'' when
fully open, with largest flowers produced during warm weather (for
example, day and night time temperatures above 73 F). [0059] Flower
depth.--Flower depth was measured to average approximately 3.8 cm. Flower
depth was measured after removal of an outer whorl petal and a sepal to
expose the base of the pistil. The measurement was taken on a fully
opened flower in the direction of the pistil, from the base of the
ovaries to the maximum height of the flower petal, i.e., the point of
recurvature of the petal. The outer petal whorl of hibiscus blossoms can
flatten out during the day, or increase or decrease in curvature or
degree of petal reflex during the day, and thus variance from the
foregoing value is possible. [0060] Flower bud (just before showing
color).--Rate of opening: 1-2 days. Rate of opening is generally faster
in warmer weather. Flower bud dimensions were measured on a bud which was
approximately one day from opening. Bud length was measured from the tip
of the bud to the abscission zone where bud and peduncle meet. The
average length of a bud which is one day from opening is approximately
7.1 cm. Bud diameter was measured at the widest part of the bud, an area
approximately halfway up the outside of the developing petals. The
average diameter of a bud which is one day from opening is approximately
3.2 cm. It should be noted that bud dimensions can vary somewhat with
cultural conditions, and variations can even be observed in buds which
are at the same stage of development. Furthermore, buds which develop
into fully double flowers are generally of greater diameter than buds
which develop into semi-double or single flowers. Shape: Generally
acuminate to ovate, with full doubling giving elliptical buds. [0061]
Petals.--Texture: Smooth, satiny, rugose. Arrangement: The corolla
consists of five petals arranged in an outer whorl, having regular
partial overlap, even when the flower is fully open. Doubled petals are
attached to the staminal column and are generally distinct from the
petals which comprise the corolla. Shape of a petal from the outer whorl:
Roughly spatulate, with a rounded apex and a truncate base. The margin of
each petal is undulate and entire, such that the margin of the flower
appears to be undulate, and the overlap is such that the flower margin
appears circular, with large indentations at the point where the flower
margin changes from one petal to the adjacent petal. A representative
petal length was measured to be 10.5 cm, and was taken from the base of
the petal to the farthest point on the margin opposite the base. A
representative width is 6.9 cm, and was measured perpendicularly to the
pistil at the widest point of the petal. Petal size can vary with
cultural conditions, such as temperature, and thus the flower size and
shape can vary as well. Often, flowers which are produced at colder
temperatures are smaller and appear more fully overlapped, giving almost
a wheel-shaped appearance. When fully open, the edges of `DUP-MNDC`
flowers can be somewhat recurved. The color of a warm weather flower is
described below. It has been observed that variations in temperature can
effect the stronger or weaker expression of certain pigments, changing
the balance of color, and thus variations in color intensity and pattern
can occur with temperature. The expression of orange in the flower edges
of `DUP-MNDC` can be temperature dependent. It should be noted that the
colors of hibiscus are among the most changeable of all flowers. A newly
opening morning bloom generally has the most intense coloration, but as
the flower flattens out and is exposed to the sun, many pigments begin to
fade immediately, resulting in a flower which can look like a different
variety altogether. While the flower of `DUP-MNDC` fades less than those
of many other varieties, exposed to strong sun, it can fade to a dull
yellow by the end of the first day. The morning colors are described
below. Color: Upper surface: N155D pistil and style, to which are
attached the primary whorl of petals as well as small petaloids, petals
and petaloids devoid of color for 30 percent of their length, with the
remainder a 13C, with marginal suffusions of 17B. Lower surface: Uniform
9D. [0062] Sepals.--Unlike the petals, sepals are relatively invariant in
color. Their size can be affected by the same cultural conditions which
affect flower size. They are generally smooth and elongated oblong with
acute apices (pointed tips). They are fused at the long edges into a
cupped calyx bearing at its brim the five pointed tips. When the petals
of the flower spread open, the five pointed tips, which are flush with
the backs of the opening petals, are forced into a radiating five point
star-shaped configuration, which can be observed on the profile and
reverse pictures. A representative width, which is measured
perpendicularly to the long axis of the sepal at the position on the
sepal at which the oblong edges transition from fused to unfused, is
approximately 3.1 cm. A representative length, measured on the sepal from
the free point to the fused point is approximately 1.6 cm. [0063]
Peduncle.--Length: 1.4 cm. Angle: Approximately 40 degrees from branch.
Strength: Strong, flexible. Texture: Smooth. Color: Slightly darker than
146A. [0064] Reproductive organs.--Androecium: Stamen number:
Approximately 80. Anther shape: Crescent. Anther color: N155D. Amount of
pollen: Moderate. Pollen color: 17A. Gynoecium: Pistil number: 1. Pistil
length (from base of ovaries to top of stigma): 8.2 cm. Style length
(from base of ovaries to stigma branching point): 7.5 cm. Style diameter,
at base: 0.8 cm. Style color: Base: N155D. Midsection: N155D. Apex:
N155D. Stigma number: Usually 5. Stigma color: N155D. It should be noted
that the dimensions of a hibiscus blossom generally change not only
during bud development, but also during opening, as well as during the
life of the opened flower. For instance, upon opening, the petals
generally gain in length. Double varieties gain significant mass during
opening. Furthermore, after opening, the pistil continues to grow in
length while the anther filaments which hold the pollen sacs increase in
length, the pollen sacs open and the stigmas separate, each at the tip of
a branched style structure. Toward the end of the flower life, possibly
due to a reduction in turgor pressure, the pistil may shrink in length
and the petals may slightly decrease in area. Usually, the senescing
petals of the flower fold toward the pistil to some degree, in some
cases, completely enfolding it. Furthermore, the present variety
`DUP-MNDC` may, on occasion, produce a single flower or a fully double.
Because the "doubling" is usually due to the conversion of sexual flower
segments, such as anther tissue, and less commonly, pistil and stigma
tissue, to petal tissue, the degree of doubling has an effect on the
number of reproductive segments exhibited by such a flower. For example,
a fully double flower can have a greatly reduced number of anthers with
respect to a single flower. Even if the doubling has not effected the
conversion of stigma tissue into petal tissue, the effect of doubling is
often to deform the staminal column to such an extent that the stigma are
buried in petal or column tissue and are either under-developed or
impossible to locate, and in some cases, completely absent, with only the
pointed style branches remaining as the flower's attempt to express its
female flower segments. Another phenomenon which is observed in hibiscus
flowers is the occasional production of multiple pistils, most often
fused at the base or along their lengths. Usually, such fusion results in
pistils which are incomplete, but the potential for multiple pistils, and
thus supernumerary anthers and stigmas exists in hibiscus in general.
[0065] Disease resistance: `DUP-MNDC` has not been observed to be
resistant to pathogens common in hibiscus. However, it has been observed
in the green house to have a higher resistance to root rot than that of
many existing hybrid varieties grown on their own roots. If desired, and
if the risk of virus infection is of no concern, the present variety can
be grafted onto a rootstock and be grown as a grafted plant.